Teenager arrested following East Dorset sheep deaths

A 17 year old male from Verwood has been questioned by police

Published 28th Jul 2022

A teenager has been arrested in the connection with the killing of 14 sheep and lambs in a field in East Dorset.

The animals died at Tollard Royal, with police believing a vehicle had been used to deliberately attack them.

Some of the sheep were so badly injured they had to be euthanised.

It happened some time between 7.00pm on Sunday 17th July and 6.15am on Monday 18th July.

Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team now say a 17 year old male from the Verwood area has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and inflicting unnecessary suffering to an animal.

He's since been released under investigation.

As part of the same investigation, Dorset Police tell us a red Ford Focus MK1 was found burnt out near Fordingbridge in Hampshire.

There's a continued appeal for witnesses to the incident - be warned this video contains graphic images:

Police Sergeant Lee Turner, of the Rural Crime Team, said:

“Our enquiries are continuing into this incident and I am appealing to anyone who saw a red Ford Focus in unusual circumstances in Tidpit, Fordingbridge and the surrounding areas of Hampshire to please come forward.

“I would also urge any member of the public with information to help our enquiries to please contact Dorset Police.”

If you can help with any further information, you're asked to contact Dorset Police on 101, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.ukor via the website, quoting reference number 55220115601.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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